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New article on «Innovation Diffusion in Large, Heterogeneous Populations: A Group-Level Network Approach» by Malte Doehne and Katja Rost

Dr. Malte Doehne and Prof. Dr. Katja Rost analyze how innovations spread in large, heterogeneous populations. Using the Swiss labor market as a case, they show that diffusion depends on whether innovations align with prevailing norms or require structural change, as well as on whether they originate in central or peripheral groups. 

Innovation Diffusion in Large, Heterogeneous Populations: A Group-Level Network Approach

Malte Doehne (SUZ),Katja Rost (SUZ)

First published as an article on March 31, 2026 in Swiss Journal of Sociology

https://doi.org/10.26034/cm.sjs.2026.6108

Abstract:
Asymmetries in influence between subgroups and the radicalness of innovations predict innovation diffusion in large, heterogeneous populations. Using 35 491 job ads and data on 522 978 managerial appointments to 739 092 firms, we study the diffusion of two organizational practices across the Swiss labor market. Gender-neutral language use spread widely from core to periphery, while “almost-full-time” employment schemes originated in the periphery and diffused narrowly. We discuss these patterns’ implications and identify avenues for future research.

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About

Prof. Dr. Katja Rost is a full professor of sociology and private lecturer in economics at the University of Zurich. Her research focuses on economic and organizational sociology (digital historical sociology, gender stereotypes, elite sociology, sociology of digitalization and innovation).

About

Dr. Malte Doehne is a researcher at Prof. Rost's chair. His research interests include market and economic phenomena, innovations, the formation of social orders, and quantitative methods in social research (especially network analysis).

Swiss Job Market Monitor SJMM

The Swiss Job Market Monitor aims to systematically expand scientific knowledge about the job market, and to help improve labour market transparency by informing the general public about current developments on the job market. The focus is on continuous monitoring and information and scholarly research into the job market.

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